SERMON: The feast of epiphany: its irony and challenge

On this Sunday, Christians all over the world are celebrating the feast day of Epiphany with the following readings for their meditation: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12. Etymologically; Epiphany from its Greek origin means “appearance” or “manifestation”. This Christian feast day therefore celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ. It is true that Christ manifested himself to man in so many ways, but for this feast day, history through the tradition of the Church, has singled out the visitation of the Biblical Magi to the Baby Jesus. This is seen mainly as his manifestation to the Gentiles as the term is used by Luke to mean all non-Jewish peoples. The irony of Epiphany is in the fact that the non-Jewish peoples of the world, paid homage to the infant Jesus in stark contrast to Herod the Great; the King of Judea, who sought to kill him. Saint John Chrysostom used to play on this irony saying that the star had been hidden from them so that, on finding themselves without their guide, they would have no alternative but to consult the Jews. Meaning that in the final analysis, Christ would find a way of manifesting himself to all. The choice of the readings above suggest the main theme of our feast day to be centered on the fact that all nations, without exception, are called to be part of the Kingdom of God as we read in the first reading. The second reading reminds us that the so called gentiles are equally sons of God and rightful coheirs of the promises of Christ. And the good news brought forward by the feast is that Christ attracts the best from all nations, a fact personified in the truth-seeking Magi and symbolized in their precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Child Jesus. Epiphany shows that God’s promise of redemption goes well beyond the bounds of the chosen people. Christ’s Kingdom is to be universal, encompassing all nationalities, races and languages. “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me,” Jesus said. “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18-19). This feast is a reminder that Christ wants his disciples to think globally, and to let their charity start locally. The Church is not meant to be an ‘us-versus-them’ project. Christ wants to embrace all peoples, because all souls are precious to him. All are meant to be “members of the same body” as we read in the second reading. Christ’s epiphany, or manifestation, is as much a revelation about himself as about the extent of his mission. Many in Israel looked forward to a Messiah who would free them from political oppression, but Christ would bring something far more superior and sublime: the release of people from their sins. He was heard many times telling people to go in peace because their sins had been forgiven. For some this was too much and a blasphemy. The irony of Epiphany according to Christ is in its challenge to Christians of all generations. Ironically, the very people who should have raced to Bethlehem to see the Christ Child, the people of the holy city Jerusalem, greeted the news of a newborn king with angst. This had happened in their neighborhood and they would follow it as it developed. The Gentiles on the other hand, did not take the news for granted. For them it was so urgent and they had to travel the great distance to see the Infant. It is with such a background that Jesus would later warn his followers of all times that those tenants who fail to produce for the owner will be destroyed, and that the vineyard will be leased out to others (cf. Matthew 21:33-41). And that remains a challenge for us today. Taking the above warning seriously, we may learn from the Magi’s discreet exit from Bethlehem. For them, God’s way was to avoid unnecessary clashes with Herod as they had found the Holy Family keeping a low profile. Jesus himself kept this kind of profile as a style of life during his thirty years of formation, in virtual obscurity. And this way he taught a hard lesson to the world that changing the world takes time as Divine works require patience. Here lies the lesson of Epiphany today: The Magi returned home “by another way.” They did not take the same route after having encountered Christ, because they had to avoid meeting Herod. This teaches us that a true encounter with Christ prompts a change in lifestyle, may be a change of habits or relationships that hold us back from holiness. Epiphany is an occasion to ask oneself the new way forward. And in case we must shape up a new route, let it be. Ends